Free car parking in Amber Valley under threat

SHOPKEEPERS and councillors have spoken out against plans which could see free car parks scrapped in seven Derbyshire town and village centres.

Amber Valley Borough Council says nine of its car parks are costing too much money to run and wants to pass their ownership on to town and parish councils.

If the smaller authorities do not want them, the borough council could begin charging shoppers to park in Market Place, Codnor; Market Place and Mill Yard, Somercotes; Park Street, Alfreton; and The Green, Swanwick.

A car park in North Street, Langley Mill, and a small car park in Gibfield Lane, Belper, could be sold for other uses as on-street parking is available nearby.

Leases held by the borough may not be renewed for sites at, Mill Lane, Codnor, and Cromford Road, Langley Mill.

The borough council said the changes would mean savings of more than £11,000 per year.

And it said that the car parks it continued to run would still have an hour's free parking before people were charged.

But shopkeepers in Codnor said the changes could cause problems.

Ian Douglas, owner of Double D Racing, in High Street, said people who worked in the centre of the village often parked in the Market Place.

He said: "Its been free for such a long time and you would hope it would stay that way. The council are just trying to line their pockets."

A 67-year-old hairdresser working at Derek Hairstylists in the Market Place said the free hours parking would not be enough for some of his customers.

He said: "I think it's a bad idea. People stay here for more than an hour if, for example, they want highlights or colours in their hair."

Leader of Codnor Parish Council Chris Emmas-Williams said that, if the parish council took over the car park, it would probably have to raise taxes.

He said: "We wouldn't be able to afford policing of a paid-for car park.

"We have already had to raise the council tax precept by 21% this year to pay for parish wardens so we wouldn't want another increase."

Alfreton town councillor Marlene Bennett said she hoped the authority would decide to take on the Park Street car park and keep it free.

Deputy leader of the borough council Stephen Hayes said the authority would wait to hear back from parish and town councils before making any decisions.

He said: "If the borough council did end up charging, the hour free would mean that those popping to shops would have ample time."